ECP initiates process of consulting political parties on general elections

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated the process of consulting political parties on general elections, which are due in November but are widely expected to be delayed as the regulator must first carryout the delimitations based on the results of a fresh census.

However, ECP has made a commitment that the elections would be held as soon as possible and it would ensure to provide a level playing field to all the political parties in the elections while ensuring the transparency of the polls.

It further noted to continue consultation process with the political parties and it has been expressed during a consultative meeting with the delegations of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over a meeting on Thursday. Members ECP, Secretary ECP and other senior officers also participated in the meeting. Meeting was also attended by the representatives of PTI and JUI-F.

Motif behind consultation is to take feedback of political parties regarding the electoral roadmap. Dr. Zaheeruddin Babar Awan, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar and others participated in the meeting. JUI-F was presented by party secretary general Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Jallaluddin, Maulana Darwesh. Senator Kamran Murtaza Advocate joined the meeting through video link. In the issued declaration, it was stated that consultative meeting was held in friendly environment.

During the meeting, the PTI stressed upon the need of holding elections within 90 days besides urging the ECP to abide by the Constitution as per its mandate. PTI urged the ECP that all political parties should be provided a level-playing-field.

Another point which the PTI took up was making changes in the delimitations. PTI said there would be a need of constitutional amendments for creating new constituencies whereas no National Assembly exists at present which is why we stressed to do not work regarding delimitations.

Third point which PTI took up was that all the political parties should be given opportunities equally to participate in the elections by holding rallies, political gathering and elections related meetings.

The ECP assured the representatives of both the parties that it will make all efforts to hold polls as early as possible and all the parties would be given equal opportunities in the elections. It added the transparency of the elections would be ensured. Moreover, the ECP said that it would continue its consultation process with the political parties.